Radiating Pain Share this page

Radiating pain is pain that starts in one area and spreads until a larger area hurts. Sometimes this is due to the nerves - for example, if a nerve gets pinched or pulled, it may hurt all along the nerve instead of just at the one spot that got hurt.

Many people experience radiating pain as a component of neck pain or low back pain. A person with neck pain might have pain that radiates down her arm, possibly into the hand. A person with low back pain might have accompanying leg pain, possibly traveling into the foot. Such arm/hand pain or leg/foot pain can represent a serious health problem. Anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers may help with radiating pain, as can physical exercises or targeted physical therapy, heat therapy or other non-invasive methods.